January/February 1997

Larry KarushPiano CrossroadsNomad

The aptly named Piano Crossroads album presents Larry Karush as a trio leader, previously heard with the group Mokave, Jane Ira Bloom,Oregon and John Abercrombie. Karush's jazz keyboard work adds elements of music from India and Africa via five musicians using stringed and percussive instruments from Africa and India. Three piano solo pieces illuminate Karush's harmonic, blues and ragtime chops, while the other five tracks offer instrumentational intrigue. Glen Velez plays hand drums and other percussion, Howard Levy contributes harmonica licks, Djimo Kouyate adds the 21-string kora, Elliot Shapiro plays the tamboura and Bob Haddad contributes bells and vocal percussion.